Food Grade Container

ABSTRACT

Food grade container with a double wall structure that provides the benefits of insulating the contents from the environment and also serving to enhance the structural rigidity of the item in use. Multiple cavities are formed between the two walls designed to contain an insulating air barrier. The geometric structure of the cavities enhances the structural integrity by providing support for each wall and cushioning movement in one or both walls when constructed of an elastomer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to food containers and in particular to afood grade container.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in containers forcooking and/or storing of food and will be described hereinafter withreference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that theinvention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cookware and food storage containers are typically manufactured from arange of materials, including such materials as glass, plastic, andmetal. However, these materials have notable drawbacks that prevent themfrom being used in a wide range of settings. In particular, cookwaremanufactured from metals is not suitable for use in a microwave oven dueto arcing, while certain plastics are known to leach toxic compoundssuch as phthalates or in the case of Teflon, perfluorooctanoic acid,when exposed to heat. In the case when glass is used in cookware, foodhas a tendency to stick to the glass surface making it difficult toclean.

More recently, silicone rubber has presented itself as a useful materialfor use in cookware, having properties that enable it to be safely usedin microwave ovens, dishwashers, and freezers, as well as being both afood grade and non-stick material. However, silicone rubber suffers froma distinct lack of rigidity, which is particularly noticeable when it isused in such cookware as muffin trays, where distortion of the tray hasa tendency to crush the muffins in the wells of the tray. Thisshortcoming has prompted manufacturers to develop cookware thatcomprises a silicone rubber/metal hybrid. However, the use of metalprevents the hybrid material from being used in microwave ovens.

The present invention seeks to provide a food grade container, whichwill overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of thedeficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that theinformation forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda food grade container comprising at least one wall being manufacturedfrom an elastomer, the at least one wall having a first surface and anopposing second surface, and a plurality of cavities formed in the atleast one wall between the first and second surfaces.

Advantageously, the plurality of cavities defines a plurality of airgaps for insulating the contents in the food grade container in use.

Advantageously, the plurality of cavities defines a plurality of airgaps for insulating the food grade container in use.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from a flexiblematerial such as an elastomer affords the at least one wall of the foodgrade container with a degree of flexibility that does not impact on theoverall structural rigidity of the container.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from anelastomeric material reduces the risk of the food grade containerscratching a surface upon which it is placed.

Preferably, the cavities are elongated.

Advantageously, the plurality of cavities being elongated defines aplurality of elongated air gaps for insulating the contents in the foodgrade container in use.

Advantageously, the cavities being elongated provides the at least onewall with a plurality of elongated air gaps for insulating the foodgrade container in use.

Preferably, the cavities extend between opposing edges of the at leastone wall.

Preferably, the cavities are substantially parallel to each other.

Preferably, the cavities are spaced substantially uniformly from eachother.

Preferably, the cavities are substantially parallel to the first andsecond surfaces.

Preferably, the at least one wall comprises a plurality of webs thatdefine the plurality of cavities.

Preferably, the plurality of webs extends between the first and secondsurfaces.

Advantageously, the rigidity of the food grade container is realized byvirtue of the webs interposed between the plurality of cavitiesreinforcing the at least one wall of the food grade container.

Preferably, the plurality of cavities are distributed substantiallyuniformly along the at least one wall.

Advantageously, the uniform distribution of cavities along the at leastone wall affords the food grade container with uniform insulation aroundthe food grade container.

Advantageously, the uniform distribution of cavities along the at leastone wall corresponds to a uniform distribution of webs reinforcing thefood grade container to provide a uniform reinforcement around the foodgrade container.

Preferably, the plurality of cavities are distributed substantiallynon-uniformly along the at least one wall.

Advantageously, the non-uniform distribution of cavities along the atleast one wall corresponds to a non-uniform distribution of websreinforcing the food grade container to enable parts of the food gradecontainer to have a greater reinforcement than other parts of the foodgrade container.

Preferably, the plurality of cavities comprise at least one crosssection selected from the set of cross sections comprising: circular,semi-circular, square, rectangular, triangular and oval cross sectionsor any combinations thereof.

Advantageously, the at least one cross section being selected from a setof cross sections enables the structural rigidity of parts of the foodgrade container to be controlled according to the cross sectionselected.

Preferably, the plurality of cavities are elongated and the at least onecross section is a triangular cross section.

Advantageously, the plurality of elongated cavities having thetriangular cross section affords the at least one wall of the food gradecontainer with structural rigidity.

Preferably, the plurality of cavities are alternately arranged such thata base of a first triangular elongated cavity corresponds to a portionof the first surface and a base of an adjacent triangular elongatedcavity corresponds to a portion of the second surface.

Advantageously, the plurality of cavities having the triangular crosssection being alternately arranged affords the at least one wall of thefood grade container with structural rigidity.

Preferably, the at least one wall comprises a plurality of websinterposed between the plurality of triangular cavities, the pluralityof webs forming a generally zig-zag pattern between the first surfaceand the second surface.

Advantageously, the plurality of webs zigzagging between the first andsecond surface of the at least one wall affords the at least one wall ofthe food grade container with structural rigidity.

Preferably, the at least one cross section is two cross sectionscorresponding to a first cross section and a second cross section.

Advantageously, the base and the side wall comprising cavities havingone of two cross sections enables parts of the food grade container tohave a greater reinforcement than other parts of the food gradecontainer.

Preferably, the elastomer is silicone rubber.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will be non-stick.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will be suitable for use ina microwave oven.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will be suitable for use ina freezer.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will be suitable for use inan oven.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will be suitable for use ina dishwasher.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will be non-toxic.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will resist microbialgrowth.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will be stain resistant.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will be odour resistant.

Advantageously, the at least one wall being manufactured from siliconerubber ensure that the food grade container will be heat resistant.

Preferably, the food grade container further comprises insulationdisposed within each of the plurality of cavities.

Advantageously, insulation material introduced into each of theplurality of cavities supplements the existing insulation provided bythe air gaps associated with the plurality of cavities.

Preferably, the at least one wall includes:

-   -   a side wall which extends substantially upwardly and terminates        at an opening.

Preferably, the container includes a base from which the side wallextends.

Advantageously, the at least one wall forming the base and the side walldefines the open volume of the food grade container.

Preferably, the plurality of cavities in the side wall are elongated andextend substantially vertically.

Advantageously, the elongated cavities extending substantiallyvertically from the base to the opening provide the food grade containerwith insulation substantially along the length of the food gradecontainer.

Preferably, the plurality of cavities in the side wall are elongated andextend substantially horizontally.

Advantageously, the elongated cavities extending substantiallyhorizontally around the side wall provides the food grade container withinsulation substantially along the length of the food grade container.

Preferably, the at least one wall includes a container lid to close thefood grade container in use.

Advantageously, the container lid closes the food grade container toprovide additional insulation.

Preferably, the at least one wall includes:

-   -   a base; and    -   one or more side walls extending upwardly from the base and        terminating at an opening.

Advantageously, the food grade container comprising the at least onewall ensures that the plurality of elongated cavities extending throughthe base and the one or more side walls of the food grade containerdefine a plurality of air gaps for insulating the contents in the foodgrade container in use.

Advantageously, the food grade container comprising the at least onewall ensures that the plurality of elongated cavities extending throughthe base and the one or more side walls of the food grade containerdefine a plurality of air gaps for insulating the food grade containerin use.

Advantageously, the at least one wall forming the base and the sidewalls define the open volume of the food grade container.

Preferably, the base is generally rectangular and the one or more sidewalls are three generally rectangular side walls, two of the three sidewalls being opposing side walls with the third side wall extendingtherebetween.

Advantageously, the base and three side walls of the food gradecontainer define a food grade tray.

Preferably, the plurality of cavities in the one or more side walls areelongated and extend from the base to the opening.

Advantageously, the elongated cavities in the one or more side wallsextending from the base to the opening provide the food grade containerwith insulation substantially along the length of the food gradecontainer.

Preferably, the at least one wall includes:

-   -   a body comprising one or more apertures;    -   one or more receptacles, each receptacle having a base and a        side wall extending upwardly from the base and terminating at an        opening, each opening being aligned with a corresponding        aperture of the base and attached thereto.

Advantageously, the food grade container comprising the at least onewall ensures that the plurality of elongated cavities extending throughthe one or more receptacles and the body of the food grade containerdefine a plurality of air gaps for insulating the contents in the foodgrade container in use.

Advantageously, the food grade container comprising the at least onewall ensures that the plurality of elongated cavities extending throughthe one or more receptacles and the body of the food grade containerdefine a plurality of air gaps for insulating the food grade containerin use.

Preferably, the one or more apertures are arranged in the body in anarray format.

Advantageously, the one or more arrayed apertures correspond to one morereceptacles being arrayed in the food grade container to define a trayfor receiving contents therein for baking or freezing.

In one embodiment, the food grade container comprises a body wherein:the first surface is defined by an inner layer and the second surface isdefined by a fluted outer layer.

In this embodiment, the fluted outer layer preferably defines aplurality of external grooves.

Preferably, the food grade container further comprises an outer housingcomprising a wall having an inner surface, wherein at least a portion ofthe body is configured to locate within the outer housing such thatcircumferential contact portions of the body abut the inner surface ofthe outer housing to enclose each of the plurality of grooves to definea further plurality of cavities between the body and the outer housing.

Preferably, the food grade container further comprises comprisinginsulation disposed within each of the plurality of cavities.

Preferably, the at least one wall of each of the first body and thesecond body includes:

-   -   a side wall which extends generally upwardly and terminates at        an opening.

Preferably, the body and the outer housing each includes a base fromwhich the corresponding wall extends.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a food grade container in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a food grade container in accordance withanother preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a food grade container in accordance withanother preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a food grade container in the form of atray in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows isometric views of a food grade container in the form of atray in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the tray being shown from (i) above and (ii) below;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a food grade container in accordance withanother preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a food grade container in accordance withanother preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

It should be noted in the following description that like or the samereference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similarfeatures.

FIG. 1 shows a food grade container 10 which comprises a circular base20 and a hollow circular side wall 30 that extends upwardly from thebase 20 to terminate at an opening 40. The base 20 and the side wall 30define a space 50 for receiving and holding contents, typically a foodproduct in use.

The structure of the side wall 30 comprises a first surface 32, anopposing second surface 35, and a predetermined thickness between thefirst and second surfaces 32 and 35. The side wall 30 comprises aplurality of webs 70 that extend between the first surface 32 and thesecond surface 35. The plurality of webs 70 define a plurality ofparallel and spaced elongated cavities 60 in the side wall 30. Theplurality of elongated cavities 60 extend in between and parallel to thefirst and second surfaces 32 and 35. The uniform distribution of thewebs 70 along the side wall 30 provides the side wall 30 with structuralrigidity. The elongated cavities 60 defined by the plurality of webs 70in this embodiment are circular in cross section.

The side wall 30 is configured in a circular manner such that the firstand second surfaces 32 and 35 form the external and internal surfaces,respectively, of the side wall 30. The elongated cavities 60 in the sidewall 30 extend vertically from the base 20 to the opening 40. Theelongated cavities 60 are distributed substantially uniformly spacedaround the side wall 30.

The wall structure of the base 20 is the same as the side wall 30, andincludes a first (internal) surface 25 and an opposing second (bottom)surface (not shown). The elongated cavities 60 in the base 20 thusextend generally horizontally.

The side wall 30 in FIG. 1 is shown as such to reveal its cross section.In use, the upper end of the side wall 30 will be sealed to close theelongated cavities 30. This enables the container 10 to function ascookware, a storage container, or as a vessel for consuming food ordrink therefrom. The food grade container 10 is manufactured fromsilicone rubber which affords the container 10 with a wide range ofproperties including: non-stick, non-toxic (i.e. food grade), resistsmicrobial growth, stain resistant, odour resistant, and heat resistant.Silicone rubber being a flexible elastomer also reduces the risk of thecontainer 10 scratching a surface, such as, for example, a kitchenworktop, upon which the food grade container 10 has been placed. Thefood grade container 10 being manufactured solely from silicone rubberensures that it can be safely used in a microwave oven, an oven and afreezer.

The uniform distribution of equally sized elongated cavities 60 aroundthe side wall 30 the base 20 of the container 10 provides a uniformdistribution of air gaps for insulating the container 10 and any foodcontained therein in use.

The uniform distribution of the webs 70 affords structural rigidity tothe food grade container 10, yet still enables the silicone rubber toretain a degree of pliability. For example, the food grade container 10is self-supporting and capable of supporting the weight of a foodproduct contained therein. A user removing the food grade container 10from, for example, an oven or a freezer is unlikely to inadvertentlydistort the container 10 thereby displacing the hot or cold contents,respectively, from the container 10, and burning themselves in theprocess. In the case where the food grade container 10 is used forbaking a cake or muffin, the pliability of the food grade container 10is still sufficient to allow a user to easily remove the baked goodsfrom the food grade container 10 without damaging the structuralintegrity of the baked goods.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a food container 10 b, whichis similar to the food container 10. In this embodiment however, theelongated cavities 60 b are substantially rectangular in cross section.The webs 70 b in this embodiment are thicker than those of the container10 and thus provide greater structural rigidity.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a food container 10 c, whichis also similar to the food container 10. In this embodiment, theelongated cavities 60 c are triangular in cross section. Further, theelongated cavities 60 c are arranged such that they are alternatelyinverted, in that each triangle shares a side with an adjacent triangleand opposing bases of the triangles are formed by the external 32 andinternal 35 surfaces of the side wall 30 respectively. The webs 70 c inthis embodiment are generally arranged in a zig-zag fashion and thusprovide greater structural rigidity than webs 70 (see FIG. 1) and webs70 b (see FIG. 2).

In other embodiments, the elongated cavities 60 are not limited to beingdistributed substantially uniformly, but may be non-uniformlydistributed. This arrangement provides non-uniform distribution of webs70 thereby enabling certain parts of the container 10 to have a greateror lesser structural rigidity than other parts of the container 10.

In other embodiments, the elongated cavities 60 in the side wall 30 ofthe container 10 are not limited to extending from the base 20 to theopening 50 of the container. For example, the cavities 60 may extendsubstantially horizontally around the side wall 30.

In other embodiments, the elongated cavities 60 may have any desirablecross section that provides the air gaps for insulating the food gradecontainer 10 and the food contained therein.

In other embodiments, the elongated cavities 60 in the one container mayalso comprise combinations of different cross sections. For example, inone arrangement, one set of elongated cavities (not shown) may have acircular cross section, and a second set of elongated cavities (notshown) may have a rectangular cross section. Given that elongatedcavities with one cross section may afford the food grade container 10with a greater structural rigidity than elongated cavities with another,it is possible to produce a food grade container 10 in which parts ofthe food grade container 10 have a greater structural rigidity thanother parts, which would be advantageous in embodiments where certainparts of the food grade container 10 need to be more pliable thanothers.

In other embodiments, the food grade container 10 may compriseinsulation (not shown) disposed within each of the plurality ofelongated cavities 60 to supplement the existing insulation provided bythe air gaps defined by the plurality of elongated cavities 60. Forexample, the insulation may be a polyurethane foam.

In other embodiments, the container 10 may further comprise a containerlid (not shown) to close the container 10 in use. The wall structure ofthe container lid is ideally the same as the side wall 30, such that thefirst surface and the opposing second surface of the container lid havethe same predetermined thickness with a plurality of parallel and spacedelongated cavities (not shown) therebetween. The container lid may bemounted in any suitable manner to close the food grade container 10. Byclosing the food grade container 10 with the container lid, the contentswithin the open volume 50 of the food grade container 10 are furtherinsulated, thereby enabling the temperature of the contents to remain atthe desired temperature for longer.

The side wall 30 in FIGS. 1 to 3 is shown as such to reveal the crosssection extending therethrough. It will be appreciated that forpractical purposes, the side wall 30 in each of these embodiments willbe sealed at their respective top edge to enable the corresponding foodgrade container 10, 10 b, 10 c to function as designed.

FIG. 4 shows a food grade container in the form of a tray 100 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention, which comprises arectangular base 120 and three rectangular side walls 130, 140, 150. Thethree side walls 130, 140, 150 are attached via their respective bottomedges 130 d, 140 d, 150 d to three side edges of the base 120 and extendupwardly from the base 120. The two longer side walls 130, 150, beingopposing side walls, are joined via one of their side edges 130 b, 150 bto the corresponding side edge 140 a, 140 b of the third side wall 140located therebetween. The end opposite to side wall 140 is open.

The wall structure of the base 120 and the three side walls 130, 140,150 of the tray 100 are the same as the sidewall 30 of the foodcontainer 10 c which has the alternating inverted triangular cavities 60c, given in this embodiment as reference numeral 180. The elongatedcavities 180 in the side walls 130, 140, and 150 extend downwardly whilethe elongated cavities 180 in the base 120 extend horizontally from theopen end to the side wall 140.

The side walls 130, 140, 150 and the base 120 in FIG. 4 are shown assuch to reveal the cross section extending therethrough. It will beappreciated that for practical purposes, the side walls 130, 140, 150will be sealed at their respective top edges 130 c, 140 c, 150 c and thebase 120 will be sealed at the front edge 120 c and rear edge (notshown) thereof to enable the tray 100 to function as designed.

FIG. 5 shows a food grade container in the form of another tray 200according to another embodiment of the present invention, whichcomprises a generally rectangular shaped body 201 having a top surface202, a bottom surface 203, two side edges 204, 205, a front edge 206,and a rear edge (not shown). The body 201 comprises eight circularapertures 207 a to 207 h that extend from the top surface 202 to thebottom surface 203 in a general array format. The wall structure of thebody 201 is the same as the sidewall 30 of the food container 10 c whichhas the alternating inverted triangular cavities 60 c, given in thisembodiment as reference numeral 208. The elongated cavities 208 in thebody 201 extend from the front edge 206 to the rear edge of the body201.

The tray 200 further comprises eight receptacles 210 a to 210 h with ageneral structure similar to the container 10 c described above. In thisembodiment, however, the corresponding side wall 230 a to 230 h of eachof the receptacles 210 a to 210 h extends conically upwardly from thecorresponding base 220 a to 220 h to terminate at the opening (notshown) of the corresponding receptacle 210 a to 210 h to define agenerally bowl-like structure. The open volume 240 a to 240 h defined bythe base 220 a to 220 h and the corresponding side wall 230 a to 230 hof each receptacle 210 a to 210 h has a corresponding bowl-likestructure for receiving and holding contents therein in use.

The opening (not shown) of each receptacle 210 a to 210 h issubstantially aligned with a corresponding one of the eight apertures207 a to 207 h in the body 201 such that the opening engages with thebottom surface 203 of the body 201 at the corresponding aperture 207 ato 207 h to form an integral attachment to the body 201. The eightreceptacles 210 a to 210 h of the tray 200 are thus arranged in an arrayformat with spacing therebetween. The front edge 206 and the apertures207 of the body 201 are shown as such in FIG. 5 so as to reveal thecross section extending through the body 201. It will be appreciatedthat for practical purposes, the front edge 206 will be sealed and theapertures 207 of the body 210 will be sealed so that the internalsurface of each aperture 207 and the internal surface of thecorresponding bowl-like receptacle 210 a to 210 h forms a continuoussurface.

In other embodiments, the tray 200 is not limited to just eightreceptacles 210 a to 210 h, but may comprise one receptacle (not shown)or more than one receptacle as is desired.

In other embodiments, the body 210 of the tray 200 is not limited tohaving a generally rectangular configuration, but may take anyconfiguration, including but not limited to: circular, square, oval,triangular, or an irregular configuration.

In other embodiments, the tray 200 is not limited to a tray for bakingcakes or muffins as shown in FIG. 5, but may be a tray (not shown) thatis used for making ice cubes when placed in a freezer.

FIG. 6 shows a food grade container 300 according to another preferredembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the food gradecontainer 300 comprises an insert portion 310 and an outer housingportion 350, which is configured to receive the insert portion 310therein in use.

As shown in FIG. 6 (i), the insert portion 310 comprises a circular base320 and a side wall 330 that extends upwardly from the base 320 toterminate at an opening 340. The base 320 and the side wall 330 togetherdefine a space 350 for receiving and holding contents, typically abeverage, therein in use.

The structure of the side wall 330 comprises an inner layer 332 whichdefines the first surface, and a generally fluted outer layer 335 whichdefines the second surface. The outer layer 335 also defines theplurality of cavities of between the inner layer 332 and the outer layer335. The outer layer 335 defines a plurality of spaced apart elongatedgrooves 360, which extend upwardly from the base 320 substantially tothe opening 340. The elongated grooves 360 are substantially parallel toeach other and are distributed uniformly around the side wall 330. Theelongated grooves 360 are generally triangular in cross section. Thefluted outer layer 335 also defines circumferential contact portions 362which are generally defined by the peaks of the flutes.

The base 320 can include elongated cavities 360 therein, which canextend generally horizontally.

As shown in FIG. 6 (i), the first body 310 further comprises a lipportion 370 that extends outwardly from the side wall 330, and a neckportion 372 that extends upwardly from the lip portion 370. The lipportion 370 and the neck portion 372 are shaped to receive a containerlid having a skirt portion (not shown) that is of complementarydimensions to the neck portion 372 so as to close the container 300,thereby insulating the contents of the container 300 in use.

The insert portion 310 is manufactured from an elastomer such assilicone rubber to afford the first body 310 with a wide range ofproperties including: non-stick, non-toxic (i.e. food grade), resistsmicrobial growth, stain resistant, odour resistant, and heat resistant.The first body 310 being manufactured solely from silicone rubberensures that it can be safely used in a microwave oven, an oven and afreezer.

As shown in FIG. 6 (ii), the housing portion 350 comprises a side wall352 having an inner surface 353 and an outer surface 354. If desired,the housing portion 350 can also comprise a base wall 351. The housingportion 350 may be manufactured from any suitable material such asplastics.

In use, the insert portion 310 configured to locate within the internalvolume of the housing portion 350 such that the contact portions 362 ofthe insert portion 310 abuts substantially against the inner surface 353of the housing portion 350. Thus, each of the plurality of grooves 360will define a plurality of cavities between the inner layer 332 of theinsert portion 310 and the housing portion 350.

In other embodiments, only the outer surface 335 of the side wall 330may be shaped so that it defines a plurality of grooves (not shown). Assuch, the inner surface 332 of the side wall 330 may be a smooth,continuous surface (not shown).

In other embodiments, the plurality of cavities (not shown) may bedistributed substantially non-uniformly around the side wall 330.

In other embodiments, the plurality of grooves are not limited to beinggenerally triangular in cross section as described above, but mayinstead be generally semi-circular, square, rectangular, or oval incross section.

In other embodiments, the plurality of grooves in the side wall 330 arenot limited to being of the same cross-section, but instead, the grooves(not shown) around the side wall 330 may be comprised of a combinationof cross sections.

In other embodiments, the food grade container 300 may further compriseinsulation (not shown) such as, for example, polyurethane foam, disposedwithin each of the plurality of cavities defined between the outersurface 335 of the first body 310 and the inner surface 353 of thehousing portion 350.

In other embodiments, the plurality of grooves in the side wall 330 arenot limited to extending vertically from the base 320 to the opening340, but may instead be horizontally or diagonally disposed around theside wall 330.

While not shown in FIG. 6, it will be appreciated that the food gradecontainer 300 may further comprise a container lid (not shown) so as toclose the food grade container 300 in use.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a food container 10 d, whichis similar to the food container 10. In this embodiment however, theelongated cavities 60 d are substantially oval or oblong in crosssection.

INTERPRETATION Embodiments

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughoutthis specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, inone or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description ofexample embodiments of the invention, various features of the inventionare sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, ordescription thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure andaiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventiveaspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claimsfollowing the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are herebyexpressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of SpecificEmbodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some butnot other features included in other embodiments, combinations offeatures of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope ofthe invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood bythose in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of theclaimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinaladjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a commonobject, merely indicate that different instances of like objects arebeing referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects sodescribed must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, inranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are setforth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown indetail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake ofclarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that eachspecific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in asimilar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as“forward”, “rearward”, “radially”, “peripherally”, “upwardly”,“downwardly”, and the like are used as words of convenience to providereference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes asused herein is also an open term that also means including at least theelements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus,including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be thepreferred embodiments of

1. A food grade container comprising at least one wall beingmanufactured from an elastomer, the at least one wall having a firstsurface and an opposing second surface, and a plurality of cavitiesformed in the at least one wall between the first and second surfaces.2. A food grade container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavitiesare elongated.
 3. A food grade container as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe cavities extend between opposing edges of the at least one wall. 4.A food grade container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavities aresubstantially parallel to each other.
 5. A food grade container asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the cavities are spaced substantiallyuniformly from each other.
 6. A food grade container as claimed in claim1, wherein the at least one wall comprises a plurality of webs thatdefine the plurality of cavities.
 7. A food grade container as claimedin claim 1, wherein the at least one wall comprises a plurality of websthat define the plurality of cavities.
 8. A food grade container asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of webs extends between thefirst and second surfaces.
 9. (canceled)
 10. A food grade container asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities are distributedsubstantially non-uniformly along the at least one wall.
 11. A foodgrade container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavitiescomprises at least one cross section selected from the group consistingof circular, semi-circular, square, rectangular, triangular and ovalcross-sections and any combinations thereof.
 12. (canceled)
 13. A foodgrade container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavitiesare alternately arranged such that a base of a first triangularelongated cavity corresponds to a portion of the first surface and abase of an adjacent triangular elongated cavity corresponds to a portionof the second surface.
 14. A food grade container as claimed in claim13, wherein the at least one wall comprises a plurality of websinterposed between the plurality of triangular cavities, the pluralityof webs forming a generally zig-zag pattern between the first surfaceand the second surface.
 15. (canceled)
 16. A food grade container asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomer is silicone rubber.
 17. A foodgrade container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising insulationdisposed within each of the plurality of cavities.
 18. A food gradecontainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one wall forms aside wall which extends substantially upwardly and terminates at anopening.
 19. A food grade container as claimed in claim 18 wherein thecontainer includes a base from which the at least one wall extends. 20.(canceled)
 21. A food grade container as claimed in claim 18, whereinthe plurality of cavities in the at least one wall are elongated andextend substantially horizontally.
 22. A food grade container as claimedin claim 1, wherein the at least one wall includes a container lid toclose the food grade container in use.
 23. A food grade container asclaimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one wall extends upwardly fromthe base and terminates at an opening.
 24. A food grade container asclaimed in claim 23, wherein the base is generally rectangular andfurther comprising three generally rectangular side walls, two of thethree side walls being opposing side walls with the third side wallextending therebetween. 25-27. (canceled)
 28. A food grade container asclaimed in claim 1, comprising body wherein: the first surface isdefined by an inner layer and the second surface is defined by a flutedouter layer.
 29. A food grade container as claimed in claim 28, whereinthe fluted outer layer defines a plurality of external grooves.
 30. Afood grade container as claimed in claim 29 further comprising an outerhousing comprising a wall having an inner surface, wherein at least aportion of the body is configured to locate within the outer housingsuch that circumferential contact portions of the body abut the innersurface of the outer housing to enclose each of the plurality of groovesto define a further plurality of cavities between the body and the outerhousing.
 31. A food grade container as claimed in claim 30, furthercomprising insulation disposed within each of the plurality of cavities.32. A food grade container as claimed in claim 28, wherein the at leastone wall of each of the first body and the second body includes: a sidewall which extends generally upwardly and terminates at an opening. 33.A food grade container as claimed in claim 30, wherein the body and theouter housing each includes a base from which the corresponding wallextends.